Customer Reviews

Logitech Wireless Desktop MK320 Keyboard

5 star:		(296)
4 star:		(114)
3 star:		(32)
2 star:		(19)
1 star:		(24)

 

 

Perplexed. A keyboard and mouse combo designed for laptop, NOT the desktop. I did a double-take when I received this Logitech MK320 review unit and saw that Logitech's target market for this product is for the laptops/notebooks/netbooks. I recently purchased the ASUS U43JC-X1 14-Inch Bamboo Laptop (10 Hours of Battery Life), so was searching for a wireless mouse. I knew I would get a lot of use out of the mouse but questioned whether the keyboard would be of any use. After using it for a few weeks, I must say that I'm pleasantly surprised!

Before getting to the review, I should note an error on Amazon's product page (that is correct in Logitech's documentation). The keyboard utilizes (2) AAA batteries while the mouse uses (1) AA battery. Logitech includes pre-installed alkaline batteries for both units.


SETUP:
Setting up the keyboard/mouse combo was a breeze. Taking the devices out of the box took more time! Running Win7, I just plugged in the receiver and the system instantly recognized both devices. Every time I start the computer and plug the receiver back in, there is absolutely no noticeable lag time for the keyboard/mouse to start working. This was certainly not the case with the Microsoft Bluetooth Notebook Mouse 5000 Mac/Windows, where it took a few seconds before I could begin using it.


KEYBOARD:
The keyboard has all your standard keys with several extra shortcut keys. Shortcut keys include Window Toggle (allows you to toggle between open applications), E-mail, Home Page, Music/Media, Show/Hide Desktop, Music Shortcuts (Back, Play/Pause, Next), Volume (Mute, Increase/Decrease), Calculator, and an extra backspace above the number pad. There are also a few special function keys such as turning off the computer, locking the computer, and other functions that I have yet to figure out.

The keyboard is also advertised as spill-resistant, though I hope I won't need to test that feature.


MOUSE:
The mouse is about the size of most notebook mice. It has a left and right button with the scroll button that also doubles as the middle button when clicked. Though I am right handed, it feels comfortable enough using it with my left or right hand. The battery indicator light is situated just below the scroll wheel between the left/right buttons. The receiver snaps onto the bottom of the mouse just above the ON/OFF switch. I pack and unpack my laptop and mouse at least twice a day and the receiver has yet to come loose. The bottom of the mouse also has a battery cover release button.

The one thing lacking, more common with desktop mice than notebook, are page front/back buttons.


BATTERY LIFE:
I've only used the wireleess keyboard/mouse combo for about 3 weeks now so cannot attest to the advertised 15 months of keyboard battery life or the 5 months for the mouse. However, as I am a heavy user, it has worked very well thus far. There is a battery life indicator on the mouse, which has yet to turn on, and none for the keyboard. For the aforementioned Microsoft Bluetooth 5000 mouse, I would be on my second set of batteries by now.


HOW I USE IT:
As I noted above, I wasn't sure if I would get much use out of the keyboard. My new laptop has Intel's new Wireless Display (WiDi) technology and HDMI, so I have been using it to watch videos on my TV. While my laptop sits on my desk, I'm able to control it from my couch.

PROS:
- Excellent battery life
- Convenient shortcuts
- Receiver snaps into the bottom of the mouse
- Spill resistant keyboard
- Mouse battery cover is very secure. Not prone to pop off unless you press the battery cover release button
- Receiver snaps on securely to the bottom of the mouse

CONS:
- Included batteries aren't rechargeable
- No battery indicator on the keyboard
- Mouse does not have forward/back buttons


CONCLUSION:
Though this wireless keyboard/mouse combo is targeted for laptop users, it should serve desktop users just as well. At a relatively inexpensive price, this combo delivers excellent battery life, great performance and convenience, and good value. I would recommend this to anyone, even for those that are just looking for a mouse as the keyboard adds considerable convenience!

EDIT (9/19/10) - After about one month of daily usage, the mouse battery just died. Not bad I'd say, but far from the advertised 5 months. I'll try with some decent rechargeable batteries and report back!

I went in to OfficeMax to buy the MK300, which I already own - and found that this new upgraded one was the only one available. Generally, I can barely tell what changes have been made in Logitech upgrades (I owned previous versions before the MK300, as well). But, this one truly surprised me. Here's the main changes, and ups and downs of it, to me:

1) THE BEST SET UP EVER! PLUG IN THE FLASHDRIVE AND IT'S SET TO GO!
There used to be a little button that you had to push on the mouse and key board to sync it with another attachment hooked to your computer, which was sometimes tricky. No more of that and no more having to load software.

2) The flashdrive automatically sets up all your function keys
Unlike previous versions and other ones, where I had to go in and assign the appropriate pages and programs to various keys - on this one everything automatically brings up the right pages for function keys. The downside is if you want to customize them to something different (I don't - since they've picked exactly what I would have) it sends you to the logitech site to download software and adjust your settings.

3) Mouse/Keyboard design: The mouse is a little smaller than before. Still works though as one of the best basic wireless mouses I've used, and it does include a battery check, and on/off switch on both the keyboard and mouse that haven't always been there.

4) Battery Life: All the batteries are included. This one promises longer battery life. The batteries on the previous version generally gave me a couple of months for the mouse and seven months for the keyboard - which really was fine. If this one meets that, I'm happy.

5) Long Range: I can stand over 12ft. away from my computer (in another room!) and the keyboard still works. (I just can't very well see what I'm typing.)

BOTTOM LINE: For those that prefer "prettier sets" and a fancier mouse at a higher price- this might not be the best choice. But, if you just want a wireless set that's easy to set up, use and works like it's supposed to at a good value - with the new improvements, I'm not sure this one can be beat.

I am very pleased with this product. All that is required to make it work is to place the included flash drive into the USB port (it's on the bottom of the mouse when you receive it), and voila. No more heavy laptop, no looking at a screen that's too low, no more heat from the computer on your lap. The keyboard is thinner than a standard keyboard, works perfectly with my linux laptop, is much more wieldy than said laptop, has low-profile keys, a dedicated number keypad, dedicated buttons for email, home, music, and more. The keys are also sculpted and textured to prevent slippage typos.

This comes with batteries! When I get new equipment, I want to use it right away. It takes the bloom off the rose to open the box and discover I need to make an extra trip to the store, and another purchase to make the new product functional. Not only that but the batteries that came with mine are Duracell, not some cheap brand that will die quickly and then leak in the battery case.

Another huge plus: the keys are quiet. I'm not fond of loud, high-profile keys or squeaky mice. I just went optical on another computer as well, replacing a ball mouse that squeaked. All day.

Speaking of mice, I really like the one that came with this set. It's accurate, smooth, and blazing fast. It's an optical mouse (of course-it's wireless ;) and it's a good weight, small, and fits easily in my hand.

All told, this is a really nice setup. It's not often that I find a product with which I am completely satisfied, but when something is this intuitive, easy to use and works really well, that makes life so much easier, and I'm happy about it. My satisfaction with the product is in proportion to the convenience I now have, that I didn't have before. Well done.

Product: Logitech Wireless Desktop MK320 with Keyboard and Mouse
Rating: 3.5/5

Overall this is a very nice, and reasonably priced, keyboard. However, it does have some flaws that certain users should be aware of, when shopping for keyboards.

LIKES:

* TACTILE: I really like the tactile resistance of these keys when typing. Nothing irks me more than a loose-buttoned keyboard where the buttons shake and click, and this keyboard is the diametrical opposite of that - a nice firm keystrike, with good push-back. Fairly quiet too.

* SETUP: Setup was a snap - just install the USB receiver, pull out the battery contact tabs, and you're good to go.

* TILT: The tilt feet are nice, but (and this is a very minor nit) I like a steeper tilt than most, and I wish more keyboards had feet that were adjustable, rather than one size fits all.

* MOUSE: A very decent, if unspectacular, optical mouse, with good feel, range and battery life.

* RANGE: I haven't checked it's range limit, but it seems good, which would also seem to make it a good choice for use with game consoles like a Sony PS3.

DISLIKES:

* EASILY WORN PAINTED LETTERS {minus 1/2 star}: Heavy typers take note - my wife and I have only been using this keyboard for a few short weeks, and some of the painted letters are already wearing off, which is very annoying. Next time, I'm definitely going to look for much longer-lasting engraved or backlit letters.

* HOME/END/PG {minus 1/2 star}: Call me a purest, but I strongly prefer the classic 6-button block (Ins/Del, Home/End, PgUp/PgDn) 3x2 (col x row), rather than the squished and rotated 5 button block they used instead. I think it was an ill-conceived choice that will polarize a fair number of users.

Bottom line: A very good wireless keyboard and mouse combo for the price range, but heavy typers may want to look for something a bit more wear-resistant, and with a more classical layout. I'll probably be replacing this keyboard soon, and demoting it for use with my Sony PS3 game console (for which it'd be better suited). Recommended, but with caveats.

This is certainly the promptest Vine review I've done; I got this keyboard 20 minutes ago and am using it to type this review. I'm the third reviewer of this item, and the other two don't seem thrilled by the small mouse, and one of them also by the keyboard. But I've got to say I like them both just fine.

The keyboard has a number of very cool features, chief amongst them the special feature buttons up top. They let you instantly access your home page, your email page, scroll through all your open pages and pause to open any of them, and my favorites: the music buttons. There is a mute button (super useful and beats scrambling to find it on your screen when some website suddenly blasts you), ff and rw buttons, and up and down volume buttons. Plus there's a wmp button that opens it instantly; you can get your tunes going mighty quick with this keyboard. And that's very useful indeed if you listen to music constantly.

As a freelance writer who's used many keyboards I enjoy this one, and I write at about 2,000 words an hour so I need a crisp touch; the keys here bounce back at the rate I like them to and I can type very quickly. Zero complaints. If I have any as I use this over the next week or month, I'll definitely edit this. If there's nothing after this sentence in parentheses, then I still like it! The tabs on the bottom top of the keyboard raise it up the right amount, not too little as with many wireless kbs.

Not all of us realize that our laptops and computer screens put out a fair bit of radiation, and if you ever get tired sitting in front of one or (bad idea) having a laptop on your lap, that's why. These things emit enough rads to slowly damage your immune system, as anyone who's used one for hours on end and noticed serious fatigue can attest. The electronics---which put out radiation that disrupts your system---and the eye strain from the screen being too close are both health issues (which of course you won't read much about, as with the now omnipresent cell phone rads). This is the best thing about wireless kbs: they let you sit farther away from the laptop and its screen and thus lessen the strain on eyes and body. VERY useful, and this lets you spend much more time on the computer with much less discomfort. If you use a computer at work try a wireless kb and see what a huge difference it can make, also by letting you raise the screen to be level with your eyes instead of making your neck crane down all day.

For those with a PS3 or other console with internet on it, a wireless keyboard will also let you sit on the sofa and easily use your tv screen as your computer screen: a very nice feature indeed. This kb works from far across my room, as does the mouse. Nice.

As for the tiny mouse, yes, it's rather small, and I haven't used it enough to see if it will wear out my hand as the other reviewers claim. I'm not exactly small---6'2"---so we'll see. So far it feels fine. I like its tight circle...you move it a tiny bit and it covers the screen, so it's not like you're rolling it all over the desk to move the cursor. And as a guitarist I kinda like the workout for my right hand fingers, which should help my hybrid Travis picking.

All in all, this is one of the better wireless keyboards I've used, and for the price, with mouse included, it seems like a good deal.

Overall, I like the Logitech MK320 wireless desktop. I'm using it now to type this review. The keys have nice response with a stiff, crisp feel. I wouldn't consider the mouse small; my wife has the same one on her laptop and it is nearly identical in size to the mouse that used to come standard with Dell desktop (coincidentally also made by Logitech.) The mouse fits comfortably in my hand, and I have larger-than-average hands. The mouse buttons have a nice tactile feel, and the action on the scroll wheel is smooth, unlike the Microsoft wireless optical mouse I own.

If you've ever used one of Logitech's wireless laptop mice, this desktop set comes with a similar style of transceiver. A bit smaller than a mini thumb drive, it's larger than those other Logitech transceivers, however, it does work from 15 feet away. Also, there is no lag unlike early wireless keyboards, so if you've been putting off buying one because of that, don't.

My only complaint is that the keyboard lacks LED lock keys indicators; I'm guessing this was done to save power. No problem. I use Linux, so I just use the Gnome Keyboard Lock Keys applet. (A similar applet exists for KDE). The documentation that came with the set says that the keyboard also includes software that does something similar on Windows. (I haven't tried it.) The multimedia keys are compatible with the newer versions for [...].

Just got this today, will amend review if anything changes.

I'm a writer, and a very fast typist. The keyboards is pleasantly clicky, bouncy and responsive, and I can type very fast. It's a "tactile" keyboard, and I don't make as many errors as on some of the "softer" and "quieter" keyboards I've tried.

The mouse is surprisingly comfortable for a wireless mouse, decently responsive. I normally HATE wireless mice and use wired mice and wireless keyboards, but I thought I'd give this a try. I've been pleasantly surprised.

The reception is fine, but I'm not trying to push the range very far. It's not fussy at all, and my last logitech wireless totally was.

Setup was SO painless. Plugged in the dongle, pulled out the tabs for the ALREADY INSTALLED batteries, and boom, it worked.

A neat feature... keyboard and mouse BOTH have off switches. This makes sense and should dramatically extend battery life.

So far so good!

ETA: I've had to for a month or so now, I think, and while the battery life isn't as advertised, that's probably because I don't generally remember to turn the mouse and keyboard off when I'm done using them. Even so, these last about 100 times longer than my previous keyboard and mouse.

The mouse is quite responsive. I've disliked wireless mice in the past for being laggy, this one isn't. My scores in Bejeweled Blitz aren't quite as high as they were, but they're still very, very high, and I'm not sure it's the mouse's fault... ;)

Typing on the keyboard is great. Every once in a while, it lags, but it seems to buffer what I'm typing, so waiting a moment will get the text to show up. That only happens once every few days, it's not often enough to qualify even as aggravating.

ETA: Great keyboard! I didn't realize how great until I accidentally knocked a full glass of liquid into it. There was lemonade running straight through it, across the full width.... I took the batteries out immediately, took out the nine million tiny screws, and opened it up with a plastic knife.... and the electronics were DRY. The top was damp, but no electronics in the upper surface and the panel below is well protected. I dried everything, used a little rubbing alcohol on the keys to get the sticky off (should have just stuck it under running water, the top panel, that is!) let it sit until completely dry, then put it back together... works fine!

This keyboard/mouse combination from Logitech is really pretty perfect. I ordered this to replace my wife's older Microsoft's Keyboard and Mouse with some trepidation. While the current keyboard was way too big for the desk, she was used to it and was a bit reluctant to switch

[A little background on the computer; it's a Windows 7 64-bit Ultimate Version]

Installation is trivial. It requires a little "dongle" that plugs into a free USB port. Both the mouse and keyboard are recognized within a few seconds automatically by Windows 7, no software or disks are required for use.

The keyboard is thin and light, which is good. Despite that, it does not flex or feel cheap. Key travel feel about right for a touch typist, and the effort is very nice (much nicer than most other keyboards). There are keys at the top of the keyboard that are dedicated to things like mail programs, playing music, etc. Windows 7 worked perfectly with all of these dedicated function buttons with no configuration, so if you like that sort of thing, they're all there.

The mouse works fine, but it appears to be one of those smaller mice that are used with laptop computers. I don't have large hands so I had not issue. I found it works great in the limited space on our desk, and the motion is smooth.

In a couple of weeks, we haven't had any issue with battery life, or the wireless functions. I don't anticipate any.

It's hard to find anything to dislike about this keyboard/mouse combo. My wife decided she liked it after getting used to it for an hour. I'm tempted to switch it with my current keyboard, but I'm probably safer just ordering another!

The keyboard and mouse are beautiful!!! Received product very quickly....Next day!!
If you're thinking about getting a wireless keyboard and mouse please go with this one!

This keyboard has worked out very well for us even though we might not have used it in a completely typical way.

We have long used our Wii as sort of a netbook. It can connect to the internet and you can do Google searches, watch youtube videos, etc. The only problem has been that typing on the virtual keyboard to enter a search is tedious to say the least. This keyboard has solved that problem.

We can now type our searches on the wireless keyboard and it is so much less frustrating. It also stores easily in the entertainment unit with all of the other Wii equipment.